A benefit concert and GoFundMe site has been set up by musicians from Hawai’i and California to help San Francisco Bay Area musician Kawika Loo, who recently suffered a devastating stroke. A beloved friend to many and the father of two young girls, Kawika has been an integral part of the Hawaiian music scene in the Bay Area for over twenty years, known especially for his work as the longtime bassist for Hawaiian musician Steven Espaniola. A giving person with a huge heart, Kawika is also known for his ready willingness to participate in many philanthropic events, including the Kōkua Japan San Francisco concert and fundraiser that raised money to help the many thousands affected by the 2011 earthquake in Japan. The online fundraising effort through the GoFundMe crowdfunding site is being used in tandem with the Nā Hoaloha (Friends) benefit concert to be held at 7pm on Sunday May 24th at Old St Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco (660 California St.). The concert will feature a gathering of award-winning Hawaiian music artists, including JD Puli, Hawai’i Music Award winner Faith Ako, Kumu Hula and Musician Kawika Alfiche, Hawai’i Music Award winner Steven Espaniola, and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner and GRAMMY® nominee Weldon Kekauoha. Tickets for the concert are now available online. (Note: seating is limited, so buy your tickets now! No tickets will be available at the door if tickets sell out online.) A final comment: Kawika’s wife is only employed part time, and your donations are desperately needed to help with his ever-increasing medical expenses. 100% of the proceeds from both the concert and the GoFundMe site will go directly to the Loo ‘ohana (family). For more information, please contact Steven Espaniola at sespaniola@gmail.com

As both a thank-you to fans that successfully funded his Kickstarter campaign to produce a video of “Waiting For Me On the Shore,” and in anticipation of a July tour of Tahiti, Loa Greyson has released a video of the remixed version of his original song “Company” from his critically acclaimed 2012 album Shades of Grey. The new release contains lyrics in a combination of English and Reo Tahiti (the Tahitian language), as well as a more upbeat tempo. His July trip will be Greyson’s first visit to Tahiti. He will be traveling with his band, The Loa Greyson Project, and 300 dancers from Southern California to perform almost daily at one of Tahiti’s biggest festivals. Some of the dancers who will be traveling with him also perform on the video, which was filmed in part at a live performance at Downtown Disney’s Main Stage. Well-known in Hawai’i as Tini Grey, Greyson first recorded as a former member of the popular Polynesian R&B group Reign on their self-titled album (with fellow Reign members Kale Chang, Loa Faimealelei, Afatia Thompson, and Kuhio Yim). Upon moving to Southern California with wife Angela Baraquio Grey (Miss America 2001) and family, Greyson released a solo EP (Better Place, 2011), a full-length, all original solo album (Shades of Grey, 2012), a Christmas album (Thoughts of Christmas, 2013), and a recent single, Waiting For Me on the Shore (2015).Company – E Hoa Ma was produced by Greyson and Billy Smith. Steve and Moenau Rivera provided the Tahitian translation of the lyrics, and also produced the video. The English lyrics and music are by Greyson, who can be heard on ʻukulele, guitar, percussion, and vocals. Billy Smith played keyboards and drums, and Brandon Shaw played bass. The single is available now on iTunes and the Loa Greyson website. The video (seen below) has been posted to Greyson’s YouTube channel.

The Outrigger Reef’s Kani Ka Pila Grille, the Waikiki landmark that has been hailed for its dedication to providing live Hawaiian music seven nights a week for the past six years, is adding even more music! Beginning May 6th, an “Island Music” series will be offered during happy hour (3-5pm), four to five nights per week. Kani Ka Pila Grille will also be participating in the 2015 Mele Mei series – a month-long celebration of Hawai’i’s music and culture. Every Sunday throughout May, two award-winning bands will perform from 5pm until 9pm. Below is the calendar for May (subject to change). The Grille is suitable for all ages and offers a full bar and a wide variety of menu choices all day, including a kids menu. Discounted valet parking is available at $6 for four hours. It is located poolside, just off the main entrance to the hotel, at 2169 Kalia Road in Waikiki. Reservations are accepted for parties of five or more.

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Originally from California, Iʻve lived on Oʻahu for a number of years. Music has always been my passion and Iʻm fortunate to be able to work with and support many of Hawaiʻiʻs musicians. For such a tiny speck in the middle of a very large ocean, we have an amazing wealth of talent here! ~Lynn

Note: The purpose of this blog is to provide information about (mostly) music-related things. It is not a forum in which people should feel free to insult or otherwise badmouth musicians or anyone else. You are welcome to comment, but please be respectful, pono, and write with aloha. (Comments that don’t meet these guidelines will be deleted.) Mahalo nui loa!